The Republican journal., 1887-02-03
The Influence of the Grange.

To the social value of the Grange and its
merits an educator many of our readers can
testify but all are not aware of the influence it
now has in public affairs. Fifty-four OF the
legislators and State officers of Maine to-day
are members of the order. and nany Of the
recommendations in the Governors message.
and large number Of the bills now before the
Legislature. We're directly inspired by the
Grange. The journal Of Proceedings of the
18th annual session Of the Maine State Grange.
held at Augusta in December last, may be
studied with interest in this connection. Turn
Ing first to the report of the committee oE edu-
cation We find the common schools warmly
commended ''as the most important factor for
the general diffusion Of knowledge. 1t is rec
commended that the district system be abolish
ed and the town system adopte,i that a uni
formity Of text books be secured and graded
course Of study, embracing different degrees
of scholarship, for which certificates shall be
given, be established. This. it is thought.
would raise the standard of scholarship. ell
courage ambition, and secure an increased at
tendance. And in conclusion attention is call
ed to the fact that the Grange i educational in
its work.
a committee was appointed to draft a law
for the protection OF sheep hu>handry. with a
petition to the Legislature for the passage of
such measure and this work has been faith
fully carried ont. \ resolution was adopted in
the interest of the Hatch Hill before Congress
providing for the establishment of experiment
Isl.
committee on the rood Of the order endorse
cooperation as the governing principle Of the
order and 1.-THE battle axe Of the Grange
Local picnie> OF encampnents are recommend
cd to be held al tie convenience Of the county
or district at the expense of the patrons in
tere>ted. and under the supervision Of the
deputies for the county or counties. The re-
port Of the committee on resolutions we have
already published in full. The resolutions a.
rect attention to sanitary matters. demand an
amendment to the revised statutes that milk
shall be sold by wine instead of beer measure.
and urge farmers to he earnest III putting down
betting and Safeguarding. pool selling and
liquor selling at our agricultural fairs. The
report OF The committee Oh fire insurance rec
ommends petitonins the legislature to pass a
law making insurance companies responsible
for the full amount Of Insurance in case Of
lo>>. The committee on Arhor Day recon-
mend the appointment OF an Arbor bay for
the State Ivy the Governor. Important action
was taken on patent rights. and it was urged
that innocent Users Of patented articles should
lie protected. The closing recommendation.
embodied III resolution, Relates to teaching
the elements of scientific agriculture and the
preparation Of suitable text book for use i'll
the public rural schools.
Most OF these recommendations. a. above
stated, have borne fruit. and others will yet
come to frllition. The synopsis @iycn shows
the range Of subjects within the scope of the
Grange. and tie method of treating them is
that best calculated to advance the material and
moral welfare OF our state.